Several ARCA teams testing at Nashville Friday

Several ARCA teams testing at Nashville Friday

NASHVILLE (March 29, 2018) -- It's only a test; but it may look more like a race. Several ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards teams are planning to test Friday (March 30) at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville in preparation for the Music City 200 coming to the famed ole short track Saturday, April 7.

At least six ARCA teams are on their way to Nashville for testing, including Venturini Motorsports, Mason Mitchell Motorsports, Win-Tron Racing, Empire Racing, Ken Schrader Racing and Chad Bryant Racing.

Venturini Motorsports is testing with four drivers: Daytona winner Michael Self, Daytona Pole winner Natalie Decker, Christian Eckes and newcomer Chandler Smith. Smith is planning to make his ARCA debut at Nashville, contingent upon the ARCA approval process. Eckes won the Snowball Derby super late model race in 2016.

Chad Bryant Racing, which purchased the assets of Cunningham Motorsports at the beginning of the season, is expected to test with Tyler Dippel and newcomer Joe Graf, Jr. Graf has already announced a six-race ARCA schedule this year.

Win-Tron Racing will be testing with veteran Gus Dean driving while defending ARCA championship team Ken Schrader Racing is testing with rookie Brandon Grosso. Grosso, who announced a full season with Schrader Racing, was unable to compete in the Daytona opener because of his age. However, the Belle Mead, N.J. driver turns 18 Friday (day of the test), which makes him eligible to compete on all superspeedways going forward. Grosso is planning to make his superspeedway debut in the General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway April 27.

2014 ARCA championship team Mason Mitchell Motorsports will also be testing with rookie Ryan Repko driving. Repko finished 8th in his ARCA debut with Mason Mitchell Motorsports at Madison Int'l Speedway last year.

Thad Moffitt, grandson of "The King" Richard Petty, is testing with Empire Racing. Moffitt made his ARCA debut last year at Nashville, finishing 16th.

Joe Gibbs Racing is also on the docket for testing with 2017 SCOTT Rookie of the Year Riley Herbst; but not until Monday, April 2.

RFMS Racing and Bret Holmes Racing were also planning to test, but inclement weather preempted their attempts earlier this week.

The Music City 200, part of an ARCA-Super Late Model double-header, is coming Friday and Saturday, April 6-7 to Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville.

The 200-lap ARCA national tour finale Saturday night will be preceded by a combined ARCA/CRA Super Series, Southern Super Series and CARS Late Model Tour main event to set the stage. The second event of the season for the ARCA Racing Series, on the heels of Daytona, will mark the 27th ARCA appearance at Nashville since its debut on the historic short track in 1959 when three-time ARCA champion Nelson Stacy won the inaugural 300-lap race. ARCA raced at Nashville up through 1992. After a 23-year hiatus, Track Enterprises brought the tour back in 2015. Track Enterprises will again be promoting the big weekend of racing at Nashville.

Hauler parking and Super Late Model practice is scheduled for Friday, April 6, while all racing festivities are set for Saturday, April 7 with practice beginning at 12 noon with qualifying following at 3 p.m. Racing begins at 5:45. General admission presale tickets are available for a $5 per ticket discount...just CLICK HERE or call Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.